B.C. NDP recommends May 25, 2014 leadership vote to replace Dix

VICTORIA - British Columbia's New Democratic Party executive is recommending May 25 next year as the date for a leadership vote to replace current party leader Adrian Dix.

In a statement released today by the B.C. NDP, the party brass says the May 25, 2014 date was chosen to allow potential leadership candidates to participate in the race without being constrained by upcoming municipal and federal election campaigns.

Dix announced last month he was stepping down as soon as the party could chose a new leader.

So far, there are no official declared candidates in the leadership race, but current B.C. NDP finance critic Mike Farnworth has indicated he is interested in running as has federal B.C. New Democrat MP Nathan Cullen.

Last week, NDP energy critic John Horgan said he will not run, suggesting the party needs to find fresh, new voices to rebuild itself after last spring's devastating election loss.

The NDP entered the campaign with a 20-point lead in the polls, but lost to the B.C. Liberals led by Premier Christy Clark.

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